hybrid bikes

[Kevin ADDERLEY]

ideally with suspension budget £400 / £500

what would you suggest

has anyone got any experience of the Land rover range?

 

[defy-one]

Why do you want suspension? At your price point you will get a heavy bike. If it's for comfort, your better off with quality tyres for the type of riding you hope to do

 

[Kevin ADDERLEY]

i would like to do canal riding and that -

 

[Kevin ADDERLEY]

what would you suggest - i could spend a bit more

 

[defy-one]

Canal riding won't need suspension. I would look at Specialised sirrus range, Giant Rapid range. Felt & Trek also have some excellent bikes.
Read reviews on bikeradar.com & cyclingweekly.co.uk

Most importantly go sit/ride as many as you can before buying.

Good Luck

 

[matt joy]

I have an entry level sirrus and its fine for cycling along canals etc.

 

[Kevin ADDERLEY]

what the giant roam like? i would need to take my college stuff on the bike

 

[Andy_R]

Forget suspension, it tends to be heavy and unless you're doing a lot of off road, un-necessary. If you find hand vibration a problem, get a set of carbon bars instead of front suspension (most hybrids have alloy bays which are rigid and unforgiving. Carbon bars flex and absorb vibration. Also a good pair of mitts.)

 

[Kevin ADDERLEY]

how do i know if the bike has carbon bar??

 

[Pat "5mph"]

I've got a Land Rover Lyra bike (see avatar), it was not nearly as expensive as you quote, £180 from lbs.
Goes great on the road and paths with suspension locked, took away the spring in the seat post too, you can just lock it if you like.
I only changed the standard tyres it came with, because I was getting to many punctures.
It is a tad heavy for me (I'm a 10 stone woman, though!) but no problems on the commuting/leisure front.

 

[Kevin ADDERLEY]

where did you get it from?

 

[Pat "5mph"]

My local bike shop. I went to him with my old banger, after a few visits he asked if I wanted to buy the Lyra on special. It done me well since November, no complains.

 

[Berties]

Marin fairfax....been on offer http://www.stonehengecycles.com/category/1305/2011_SALE_BIKES here's the link for my local shop ,just under £500 with 12% accessories if you push hard ,I got one for my wife ,carbon forks,nice bike for the dollar,she's riding 40 miles a day within a month so it's a good starter bike,easy to ride and change the saddle comfortable,especially with a bit of carbon,

 

[MarkF]

I've got a Trek FX 7.3, have just crossed Spain (1100km's) on a Specialized Sirrus and have been nearly right through the Dawes Discovery range. I sat on the Sirrus for 3 weeks, it did the job, but I would not touch another Spesh with a bargepole.

You don't need suspension and your budget is ample. My experience tells me that the Dawes 501 was, by some distance, a sturdier and better put together bike than the Trek or Sirrus, if you do your own maintenance you soon find out who is supplying the crappest bits and bobs, cheese screws being a particular bugbear of mine.

 

[Kevin ADDERLEY]

how do i know if the bike has carbon bar?? soz might be obvious but....

Wiggle are doing a 10% sale - i have not bought from here before - i think they come and need the tyres fitting on when delivered​